General information
Job Posting Title Solutions Architect Date Thursday, July 11, 2024 City Remote Country United Kingdom Working time Full-time
Description & Requirements
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Maximus is a global organisation that specialises in providing health and employment services to millions of people every year. Here in the UK we employ around 5,000 people across the country to deliver services that have a profound impact on people’s lives. From assessments and health services to employability programmes and specialist support, we do work that matters with people who care.
The Solution Design function is part of the UK Bidding Services team and is responsible for the production of the Solution Design elements across Business Development within the MAXIMUS business groups. This role covers our five divisions; Central, Assessments, Employability, Connect and Health and will support Business Development and Bidding Services from initial opportunity qualification, full solution design whilst supporting tender responses, and sub-contractor offers. The Solution Architect will also support internal sign off and contribute to the production and validation of workstream inputs, including implementation planning, for both new and existing business.
The role of the Solution Architect will be to develop solutions to customer specifications which are compliant, in line with Maximus UK strategy and joined up with the different Maximus UK divisions, utilising existing capability and operational contacts to develop compelling and cost-effective offers. It is a role closely aligned with the sales, business development and PMO teams during the capture planning phase from identifying capability and potential supply chain through to transition and implementation.
Research and Development
1. Identify best practice examples throughout the business to build solutions by building a strong rapport and delivery knowledge with workstreams including Operations, Digital, PMO, Clinical, Client Service Managers and Sales. Undertaking on/off site delivery visits as required.
2. Undertake full and or co-design activity as directed by the Sales Team, Bidding Services and Operational Delivery, to include:
3. Standard delivery models
4. Bespoke solution design
5. Supply Chain development
6. Customer/client journey construction
7. Work closely with the Sales Lead and Bid Management in developing win themes and USPs and ensuring they are accurately articulated in ITT submission.
8. Undertake, when required, supply chain analysis working closely with procurement and other teams to support the development of quality and robust supply chains.
Opportunity Qualification
9. Work closely with the BD, Bidding Services and Operational teams to undertake initial solution assessment on new and re-bid work to develop, design and produce solution options and recommendations along with risk analysis and mitigation.
10. Work closely with the finance team on proposed financial modelling, assumptions and Maximus’ competitive commercial position.
11. Work closely with subject matter experts from across the business to ensure costs and assumptions are captured and our solutions are inclusive of the latest service delivery innovations and strategy.
Key Bid Responsibilities
12. Analysis of customer documents including specification, evaluation criteria and tender response requirements, contributing and collating views, opportunities, and risks
13. Prepare and lead solution design meetings and articulation of solution development throughout governance process
14. Development of the solution from concept to Target Operating Model engaging with workstreams for operational and financial inputs
15. Construction of end-to-end solution, refining the TOM and taking it to internal challenge and through the governance process with supporting assumptions that could include staffing levels/supply chain volumes/financial modelling/referral volumes
16. Support workstreams, SMEs and partners with their understanding of the solutions
17. Work with procurement on supply chain options and activities from identification through to offer
18. Participation in storyboarding sessions
19. Work with the Bid Manager and Writers to agree the breakdown and contribution of bid content to ensure solution design and win themes are articulated and clearly translated into written responses
20. To have keen knowledge of the financial impact of commercial modelling, with an ability to tailor an approach to ensure a compelling offer is balanced with the need to achieve commercial efficiency
21. Obtain bid solution assurance sign off using the bid process methodology
22. Facilitate transition to implementation and develop material in support of solution pre implementation
Other activities
23. Continuously work to develop in-depth knowledge of business development priorities for the organisation and the breadth of commercial opportunities in scope
24. Work collaboratively across multiple business areas to ensure the development of effective, innovative, and bespoke solutions that positions Maximus UK in the best possible place to secure new and retain existing business
25. Have the capacity and appetite to adapt to new business areas and develop solutions in diverse markets
26. Provide peer solution assurance reviews on other bids
Closing date: 18/07/24 - 5pm
Skills & Experience
The candidate will have experience developing and costing service solutions for competitive tender/ proposals.
Essential:
27. Demonstrable experience of bid solution design (Solution Architecture) working within a service delivery organisation in the Public Sector, preferably with experience delivering within one of our core functions of Employment, Justice, Assessments, Public Health and Wellbeing and Mental Health services OR comparable sectors using proven solution design methodology
28. Previous experience of working within a Business Development function preferably with business development experience bidding to clients such as DWP, MoJ, MoD or Community and Local Authority Health customers
29. Demonstrable experience of supporting, working in and leading on bidding work streams such as Solution Design and Supply Chain Development
30. Ability to support peers in gaining understanding of solutions proposed through regular team solution updates, presentations and following bid methodology
31. Experience developing bid financial cost models
32. Experience in contributing to the production & delivery of tender documents and supporting documents
33. Experience of communicating and dealing with both external and internal customers, partners and suppliers.
Desirable:
34. Experience using solution/ process design tools, such as Miro boards, Visio
35. Operational efficiency/ continuous improvement such as Lean Six Sigma
36. Professional Development qualification in Service Design2
37. Behavioural Science application to solution development.
Skills:
38. Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills, and ability to manage solution development both remotely (this is a home-based role) with travel as and when required
39. Be well read, and interested in government procurement news, for instance through BSA, ERSA etc.
40. Dynamic and influential in style, with the people skills to manage multiple stakeholders with conflicting priorities
41. Structured and organised with ideally a solution design tool kit and experience using industry solution design methodology
42. Able to work to multiple priorities, will often have a number of bids at different stages of the procurement process to manage
43. Ability to dissect customer specifications
44. Commercial awareness / business and financial acumen
45. Analytical Skills
46. Planning and organising skills
47. IT Literacy (including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook)
48. Ability to confidently lead and present to teams remotely including representation of Maximus UK at customer dialogue and or sales pitch meetings
49. Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
50. Technology and digital acumen desirable